Fuel briquette



Patented June 13, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MARIE E. MCCARRON, OF HAZLETON, PENNSYLVANIA.

FUEL BRIQUETTE No Drawing.

This invention relates to fuel briquettes and to processes of producing the same.

More specifically it is directed to the production of briquettes from waste coal, screenings, refuse, rice coal, buckwheat coal and the like hereinafter referred to collectively as solid fuel fines, with the use of a novel binder composed principally of finely divided or pulverized coal, in particular,

19 hard or anthracite coal and ordinarily in addition small quantities of a drying oil and lue.

D The object of the present invention is to provide fuel briquettes of a quality superior to those now obtainable on the market and which are simply and economically prepared, high in heat value, hard or non-friable and stable against weathering conditions.

The composition of the binder and proportions of the ingredients used therein may vary considerably depending upon the fineness of the particles of the pulverized coal, the nature of the coal with which the binder is to be mixed, the amount of the binder to be used and the purpose for which the briquettes are intended. The binder may consist of pulverized anthracite coal alone,

provided the particles are sufficiently finely divided, and the quantity employed in proportion to the other coal is comparatively large. Briquettes produced with such binder are satisfactory for many purposes. If a better quality briquette is desired, linseed or other drying oil may be used in conjunction with the pulverized coal. v

If a briquette of highest quality is desired possessing properties which will satisfy the most rigorous demands of the trade, both glue and linseed oil are used with the pulverized coal as the binder. The maximum quantity of oil and glue which may be employed is only limited by the ability of the coal to retain the same during the compression step effected during the manufacture of the briquette. However, economic consideration requires that a lesser amount be used. The most suitable proportions for the r0 binder are one pound of glue and one pint of linseed oil to each one hundred pounds Application filed May 11, 1931. Serial No. 536,666.

of pulverized hard coal, and the binder composition is used in a proportion constituting about a third of the final briquetting mass.

Other drying oils than linseed oil may be employed, but because of the excellent results obtained by its use and its comparatively low cost, the linseed oil is preferred. If desired, the linseed oil may be a blown oil.

Any finely divided hard or anthracite coal p may be used as or in the binder composition. The more thoroughly the coal is pulverized the greater its binding properties will be. The coal may be specially pulverized or it may be powdered Waste coal obtainable at the mines. G

The briquettes of the present invention may be made by thoroughly mixing the pulverized hard coaland other coal to be briquetted such as waste coal, screenings, etc., with water in sufficient quantity to dampen all the coal particles, adding and mixing the drying oil and dissolved glue, if such are to be used, molding the mass into briquettes and subjecting the briquettes to pressure high enough to sufficiently compact the mass to insure firmness on drying.

The function of the glue in the briquettes is to harden them such that they will withstand the roughest usage and pressure to which they may be subjected either in transit or in actual use. The linseed or other drying oil serves several functions. It serves as a hardening or toughening agent and in addition asia heat intensifier and as a medium for making the briquettes moisture proof. The oxidized insoluble oil in inhibiting the penetration of water or moisture into the briquettes, prevents the glue from being softened and dissolved. Therefore the com- 90 bination of glue and drying oil is particularly effective in producing briquettes of exceptional lasting properties and value. p

' The preferred method of producing the briquettes in accordance with the present invention is as follows:

Inthe production of a long ton of briquettes about 7 40 pounds, or about one third of a ton of pulverized hard coal is mixed with water in a suflicient quantity to form a paste. Next this paste is thoroughly mixed with about 1485 pounds, or about two thirds of a ton, of either waste coal, refuse, screenings or the like or any mixture thereof, but of larger sizes than the pulverized anthracite used in the paste. The formation of the mass is greatly expedited by the step of mixing the pulverized coal first with the water.

Next there is added to the mass a mixture composed of about seven pints of raw or boiled linseed oil and about seven pounds of glue dissolved in a little water] After a thorough mixing, the mass is formed intobriquettes of any size or shape and subjected to pressure. The amount of pressure employed may vary within wide limits. High pressures, however, are not necessary inasmuch as comparatively low pressures produce briquettes of satisfactory properties. If desired, the drying and hardening of the briquettes may be speeded up by the application of heat, but such is not necessary. It is to be understood that the quantities of the ingredients and the procedure given above are set out only by way of example and that the invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

The briquettes produced by the above process are of excellent quality in that they are free of smoke, have a low ash content and have a heating value as high as the best anthracite obtainable.

The pulverized hard or anthracite coal constituting the novel binding agent of the present invention is a substantially pure product and should be distinguished from culm and other waste products containing in addition to coal, slate, dirt and other impurities, which are not operable in the process.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A fuel briquette composed of a coal product selected from the group consisting of waste coal, screenings, refuse, rice coal and buckwheat coal, together with a binder comprising a finely divided pulverized hard coal, a drying oil and glue.

2. A fuel briquette composed of a coal product selected from the group consisting of waste coal, screenings, refuse, rice coal and buckwheat coal, together with a binder comprising a finely divided pulverized hard coal, a drying oil and glue in the proportions of about 200 pounds, 100 pounds, one pint and one pound, respectively.

3. The process of producing fuel briquettes from waste coal, screenings, refuse, rice coal, and buckwheat coal, and the like comprising, mixing a finely divided pulverized hard coal binder with suflicient water to form a paste, mixing said paste with the coal to be briquetted, adding to the mass and mixing therewith a small proportion of a drying oil, and of glue, molding said mass into briquettes and applying pressure thereto.

4. A process of briquetting solid fuel consisting in binding solid fuel fines with pulverized hard coal, a drying oil and glue.

5. A process of briquetting solid fuel consisting in binding solid fuel fines with pulsignature.

MARIE E. MGCARRON. 

